Improvement in school-slates



C. D; MEIG$,!P,

School-Slate.

P atentedluly 20.1875.

I Fi .1.

In vemor 7163264464. ,JM/MA -UTHOGRAPRER. WASHINGTON u c TE v CHARLES D. MEIGS, JR, 0F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SCHOOL-SLATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 165,747, dated July 20,1875; application filed J one 26, 1875.

To all whom it may concern: 4

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. MEIGS, J r., of Indianapolis, in the State of Indiana, have invented a Slate-Cover for Schoo1Slates,of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to that class of slates which are mounted in port-folio form betweentwo covers of pasteboard, or such like material.

My improvement consists in securing the flexible back connecting the covers to the wooden slate-frame by means of staples, of such form and so applied that the covers can be folded back upon the reverse side of the slate when in use, so as to be entirely out of the way.

I inveft the slate B with the coverA, as seen in Figures 2 and 3. This cover, Fig. 1, is made much like the back of a book, with a flexible fibrous or leather strip, 1), connecting the sides A, and through which the staples 8 pass into the edge of the slate-frame, as seen in Fig. 2, firmly securing the slate-cover to the slate.

The elastic band or strap E, Figs. 3 and 4, is intended to hold the slate-cover A shut when the same is closed and the slate is not in use. It also serves to hold the sides of the cover together, as seen in Fig. 4, when the sides are turned so as to leave one face of the slate open and accessible for Work. When one side of the slate B is filled up with figuring or work the cover A is turned over it to protectthe work from erasure, while the other side of the slate is similarly filled.

The felt pads 19, Fig. 1, are secured to the inner face of cover A, so that the sides Will shut upon the slateframe when the cover is closed, and thereby prevent any clacking noise that otherwise might result. These pads may be made of any shape desired, and may be used in greater or less number than here shown; or, instead of these isolated pads, long or short strips of any soft and elastic material may be glued or pasted on the inner face of the cover to accomplish the same end. These pads are not essential to my invention, and may be put on or omitted at the option of the manufacturer. F represents the slate-frame.

The dotted lines 0 on the face of the slateframe in Fig. 3 represent the place and position for a pencil-groove, which may be cut in the same, if desired. Then the groove is so cut it furnishes a convenient lodgment for a slate pencil, where it will be firmly held by the cover A when shut and strapped down by elastic band E.

The inside of my slate-cover maybe used for advertising purposes, and may be divided into compartments for diverse business-cards, as indicated by the numerals 1, 2, and 3 on the face of Fig. 3. The outside of the cover may be utilized for the same purpose, when the cover is made of plain paper-board.

My slate-cover prevents the abrasion of school-furniture; prevents noise; keeps the slate clean; subserves every good purpose of a double slate, with none of its disadvantages. It is light to handle; has no hinges to break or split the frame; presents a neat appearance, and the slate can be filled with work by the pupil, and thus carried to school without the slightest risk of erasure of a single figure thereon. This cover likewise diminishes the liability of breakage (or scratching) by presentin g a cushioned surface to accidentalblows upon the slate.

I claim In combination with the frame F of a slate,

B, the cover A, when provided with a flexible backing, b, and attached to the slate-frame by means of staples s, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

CHARLES D. MEIGS, JR. Witnesses:

SAMUEL MERRILL, WILLIAM H. HUBBARD. 

